Apparatus for cleaning crank cases



April 1934 c. F. BEFH'fiCHHNGER 119955936 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CRANKCASES Filed. Aug. 5 195]. 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY A ril 17, 193% c. F.BERTSCK-HNEFIEH 1,955,159

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CRANK CASES Filed Aug. 5, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3ATTORNEY Apmfifl R 1 C. F. EERTSQKHHNGEZR 1,,559m9 APPARATUS FORCLEANING CRANK CASES Filed Aug. 5, 1933. 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORN Y BY%%ENTOR r as clean as possible.

Patented Apr. 7, 1934 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CRANK CASES Charles F.Bertschinger, Rosedale, N. Y., assignor of three-fourths to Tide WaterOil Company, Bayonne, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationAugust 5, 1931, Serial No. 555,265

23 Claims.

This invention relates to the emptying and flushing of lubricant cases,more especially the crank-cases of automobiles.

The object ofthe invention is to provide a comparatively inexpensiveapparatus for emptying and cleaning crank-cases, and one which is easyto operate and which insures quick service. A further object is toprovide a readily movable self-contained unit which can be brought tothe automobile. Another object is to provide a visible apparatus, inwhich both the liquid withdrawn from and the liquid to be introducedinto the lubricant cases can be seen. In the preferred embodiment, theapparatus includes a tank part comprising a receptacle or reservoir forflushing. oil and a receptacle to receive waste oil. A transfer chamber,preferably a glass jar or a holder provided with a sight-glass, formsanother part of the apparatus, this part preferably surinounting thetank part. A hose and nozzle for insertion into the dip-stick or otheropenings of the lubricant cases is connected with the jar or transferchamber. Through another connection, old lubricant or dirty flushing oilcan be discharged from the jar to waste, while another connectionprovides for the transfer of a charge of cleaning liquid from theflushing oil receptacle to the jar. Still another connection ispreferably provided for returning flushing oil from the jar to theflushing oil receptacle, this connection preferably containing a filter.By means of valves the connections are selectively opened and closed sothat oil withdrawn from the crank-case is delivered to a transferchamber, where it is visible, before being discharged into the wastereceptacle, and likewise a charge of flushing oil is delivered to atransfer chamber or inspection vessel before it is passed into thecrank-case. In the preferred embodiment of the invention separate valvesare employed, and these valves are grouped and are operated by a singlemanual control.

l'he flow of oil in the direction or path selected, from the crank-caseto the transfer chamber means, or from the transfer chamber means to thecrank-case or to the waste receptacle or to the flushing oil receptacle,may be effected in specifically different ways. In the embodiment of theinvention disclosed herein, means are provided for alternately creatingvacuum and applying air pressure in the sight-jar.

Other objects are to deliver a visible stream of the liquids in the Jarand to keep the glass For these reasons the oil inlet to the jar ispreferably at the top, whereas the oil outlet is at the bottom. Aninduction pipe is carried to or into the upper part of the jar, its endor spout being preferably directed downward.

Other objects and features of the invention will .60 become apparent asthe specification proceeds and from a consideration of the drawingsillustrating the method and one embodiment of the apparatus.

In the said drawings, which form a part hereof:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the apparatus, an enclosure being shown insection and intermediate portions of the hose and the tank part beingbroken out;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig.1, lookingup;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the connections anda form ofvalve mechanism, and. also indicating an engine and crank-case with thehose nozzle inserted therein, no attempt being '25 made, in thisconnection, to represent true proportions or relative positions;

Fig. 4 is a projected view of the cams of a carnactuated valve mechanismwhich may be employed; and

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing the operating knob with its indications.

A waste oil tank 2 is mounted on wheels 3 so that it can be moved, andpreferably constitutes a body for supporting the remainder of theapparatus. A smaller tank 4, which is a reservoir for holding a supplyof kerosene or other flushing liquid, is preferably disposed inside-thewaste tank, the interiors of the two tanks being closed to each other. Aframe 5 has legs 6 which rest on and are secured to the top of the tank2, and 'a tight glass jar '7 is mounted on this bridge. The spacebetween the top of the tank and the top of the frame 5 may be enclosedby a shield 8 to protect and conceal the connections and valve mechanismwithin.

A pipe 9 extends down in the flushing oil receptacle 4 to a point nearthe bottom, and two other pipes 10 and 11 open into the upper portionsof the flushing oil receptacle 4 and the waste oil receptacle 2,respectively. To a connection 12 on the frame is applied a hose 13,terminating in a nozzle 14 for more convenient insertion into thedip-stick openings of crankcases. An air hose 15, which will beunderstood as being connected with an air compressor or compressed-airtank, is applied to another connection 15 on the frame.

Outlet piping 16 extends from an opening in the bottom head of the jar7, and an induction piping 17 preferably passes up through said bottomhead and terminates in a gooseneck spout; 18 beneath the upper head. Apressure and vacuum pipe 19 passing up through the bottom head also hasits open end near the top of the jar.

Two branches of piping are connected with the ofl hose connection 12.One branch 20 is connected with a valve 21, to the other side of whichthe induction piping 17 is connected. The other branch 22 is connectedwith a valve 23, the opposite side of which is connected with the outletpiping 16. The first of these branches affords a path for old oil or forused flushing oil from the crank-case A, through the hose 13 and theinduction piping 1'7 to the jar. The other provides a path from the jar,throughthe piping 16 and 22- and the hose 13, for delivering flushingoil to the crank-case, or for returning lubricating oil to thecrank-case.

The pipe 9, through which flushing oil is raised from the receptacle 4,is connected with a valve 24, and the other side of this valve isconnected at 25 with the induction piping 17. This allows flushing oilto be drawn from the receptacle 4 to the jar 7.

The outlet piping 16 from the jar has a branch 26 connecting with avalve 27, the outlet of this valve being connected with the waste oilreceptacle 2, for discharge of old lubricant or used flushing oil towaste.

Another branch 28 of the outlet piping connects with a valve 29, theoutlet of which is connected with the pipe 10 for returning flushing oilto the flushing oil receptacle. This path is serviceable for saving anyflushing oil drawn into the jar but not used, or for returning flushingoil which has been used in a crank-case but is still usable. A filter 30is placed in the pipe 10. This filter may be of a known type, and itspresence, rather than its size or construction, is indicated.

The air hose connection 15 is connected with a throttle valve 31 havinga handle 32 passing through the shield 8. With this valve the. operatorturns the compressed air on and oil" and regulates the supply of the airto an ejector 33 or to the interior of the jar 7.

The valve 31 is connected with the jet of the ejector by piping 34, andthe suction side of the ejector is connected by piping 35 with thepressure or vacuum pipe 19, the open end of which is disposed in theupper part of the jar. The exhaust end of the ejector is connected witha valve 36, the outlet of which discharges'into the atmosphere. Whenthis valve is open, and when the throttle valve 31 is opened, a highvelocity jet is delivered through the ejector nozzle 37 in the ejector,entraining air from the piping 35, 19 and jar 7, and the discharge beingdelivered to atmosphere. This creates a negative pressure or partialvacuum in the jar 7. When the valve 36 is closed there can be no ejectoraction and the compressed air passes through the piping 35 and 19 intothe jar, creating positive pressure therein.

In the particular valve mechanism which has been illustrated, aplurality of separate valves are employed. This is a practicalarrangement, though simpler constructions may be used. In thisparticular form of valve mechanism, the valves are disposed in line withtheir stems projecting downward, and a common operating shaft 38,journaled in the legs 6, is provided, this shaft having cams 21, 24 3629 23 and 27 to act on the stems of the several valves. The projectionsof the cams 21 24, 29', 23 and 2'7 are in different angular relations,so that any one of the liquid paths can be opened without openingothers. The cam 36 for actuating the air valve, or ejector valve, 36 hastwo projections, coinciding in angular positions with the projections ofthe cams 21 and 24", respectively.

The shaft 38 has an operating knob 39 outside of the shield 8, this knobbearing designations at proper intervals signifying "From Car, To Waste,To Car, Return Flushing Oil, and "Flushing Oil". A stationary index 40is shown in Fig. 5.

In the particular embodiment of the invention which has been described,it may be assumed that all valves are normally closed by springs.

The manner of using the apparatus in the performance of the method ofemptying and cleaning crank-cases is as follows: The unit is rolled tothe automobile requiring crank-case service. The nozzle 14 is droppedthrough the dip-stick opening of the crank-case.

The knob 39 is turned to the From Car position, if not already in thatposition, thereby opening the valves 21 and 36, thereby establishing apath from the crankcase to the jar 7 and preparing the ejector tooperate as such. The attendant then opens the throttle valve 31, causingthe ejector to operate, producing a vacuum in the jar, which sucks theold oil out of the crankcase through the hose 13, valve 21 and piping 17and delivering it as a quietly falling stream in the upper part of thesight jar. The outlet from the jar being closed the oil thus withdrawnis held in the jar. If on inspection it should appear to be still insatisfactory condition, it may be returned to the crank-case by turningthe knob to the To Car position, whereupon the valves 21 and 36 closeand the valve 23 is opened, and by again opening the throttle valve 31,which, the valve 36 being closed, causes air pressure to be deliveredover the oil in the jar, forcing the oil through the outlet piping 16and 22 to the hose 13. As indicated in Fig. 3, a valved draw-off 41 maybe provided in connection with the outlet from the jar, for taking asample of the oil for a viscosity test or other test.

Ordinarily, the old oil, after being drawn from the crank-case into thejar 7, is discharged into the Waste receptacle 2, this beingaccomplished by turning the knob 39 to the To Waste position, whichopens the valve 27, all other valves being closed, and then opening thethrottle valve 31 so as to apply pressure in the upper part of the ar.

The next operation is controlled by turning the valve mechanism knob tothe Flushing Oil position, which opens the valves 24 and 26. Opening ofthe throttle valve 31 then causes the ejector to reduce the pressure inthe jar, so that atmospheric pressure forces flushing oil up through thepiping 9, 25 and 1'? into the jar.

Next, the attendant turns the knob to the To Car position, opening thevalve 23, all other valves being closed, and opens the throttle valve,so that air pressure in the jar forces the charge of cleaning liquidthrough the hose into the lower part of the crank-case. The throttlevalve is held open after all of the charge of flushing oil is in thecrank-case, so that the compressed air boils up through the body offlushing oil, producing so thorough a disturbance that caked or gummymaterial in'the case is broken up and all solid or undissolvedsubstances are held in suspension. This agitation is continued as longas is necessary,and ordinarily a brief period suifices,-and then theoperator quickly changes conditions by turning the knob to the "FromCar" position, thereby again opening the valves 21 and 36, all othervalves being closed, and reopening the throttle valve,.whereupon thedirty flushing oil with suspended matter is quickly sucked out of thecrank-case into the jar. Next the knob is turned to the To Waste"position, and the dirty flushing oil is discharged under air pressureinto the waste receptacle, or the knob may be turned to the ReturnFlushing Oil" position, which will cause the flushing oil to be returnedto the receptacle 4.

Obviously, the throttle valve 31 need not necessarily be closed aftereach step in the operation, to be reopened for each succeeding step.

While the preferred form of the apparatus and its mode of operation havebeen described in detail, it will be evident that numerous changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention, its featuresand combinations, and it is accordingly desired that the description anddrawings be considered as illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. A self-contained, transportable apparatus for cleaning crank-cases,including a hose and nozzle adapted to be inserted into the crank-cases,a tank part comprising receptacles for holding a supply of flushing oiland for receiving waste oil, a jar, meansfor alternately applyingpressure and creating vacuum in said jar, permanent connections betweensaid jar and said hose and between said jar and said receptacles, and avalve means for selectively controlling said connections to draw oilinto said jar from the crankcase or from said flushing oil receptacleand to deliver oil from the jar to the crank-case or to the waste oilreceptacle.

2. A self-contained, transportable apparatus for cleaning crank-cases,including a hose and nozzle adapted to be inserted into the crankcases,a tank part comprising receptacles for holding a supply of flushing oiland for receiving waste oil, a jar, means for alternately applyingpressure and creating vacuum in said jar, con-,

nections between said jar and said hose for drawing oil from acrank-case into the jar and for delivering oil from the jar into thecrank-case, a connection between the jar and the flushing oil receptaclefor drawing oil from said receptacle into the jar, a connection fordischarging oil from the jar into the waste receptacle, anotherconnection for returning oil from the jar to the flushing oilreceptacle, and a valve means for selectively controlling saidconnections.

3. A self-contained, transportable apparatus for cleaning crank-cases,including a hose and nozzle adapted to be inserted into the crankcases,a tank part comprising receptacles for holding a supply of flushing oiland for receiving waste oil, a jar having an oil inlet and a separateoil outlet, means for alternately applying air pressure and creatingvacuum in said jar, connections for placing either said hose or saidflushing oil receptacle in communication with the oil inlet of the jar,and 'for placing either said hose or said waste receptacle incommunication with the oil outlet of the jar, and valve means foropening any of said connections.

4. Apparatus for cleaning crank-cases, comprising a sight-jar having anoil inlet and a separate oil outlet, means for alternately applying airpressure to and creating a vacuum in said jar, a source of flushing oil,a waste conduit, a flexible conduit having a nozzle adapted to beinserted into the crank-cases, connections for placing either saidflexible conduit or said source of flushing oil in communication withthe oil inlet of the jar, and for placing either said flexible conduitor said waste conduit in communication with the oil outlet of the jar,and valve means for opening any one of said connections.

5. Apparatus for cleaning crank-cases, comprising a sight-jar, means for,alternately applying air pressure and creating vacuum in said jar, awaste conduit, a flushing oil conduit, a flexible conduit the end ofwhich is adapted to beinserted into a crank-case, an induction conduitopening into the upper part of said jar, and valve means for connectingsaid induction conduit with either said flexible conduit or saidflushing oii conduit and for connecting the bottom of the jar witheither said flexible conduit or said waste conduit.

6. Means for cleaning crank-cases, comprising a hose and nozzle adaptedto be inserted into the crank-cases, a sight-jar, a receptacle for wasteoil, a receptacle for flushing oil, means for alternately applying airpressure and creating vacuum in said jar, and valve-controlledconnections between said jar and said hose and between said jar and saidreceptacles.

7. Apparatus for cleaning lubricant cases, comprising a holder, a hoseand nozzle adapted to be inserted in the lubricant cases, means foralternately applying pressure and creating vac: uum in the holder,connections for conducting oil from a lubricant case or from a source offlushing oil to the holder and for conducting oil from the holder to thelubricant case or to waste, and a single operating means controllingsaid connections.

8. Apparatus for cleaning lubricant cases, com- I,

prisinga holder, a hose and nozzle adapted to be inserted in thelubricant cases, means for alternately applying pressure and creatingvacuum'in the holder, connections for conducting oil from a lubricantcase or from a source of flushing oil to the holder and for conductingoil from the holder to the lubricant case or to waste, a plurality ofvalves controlling said connections, and a single operating shaftcarrying valve-actuating elements for selectively operating said valves.

9. Apparatus for cleaning lubricant cases, comprising a chamber, a hoseand nozzle adapted to be inserted in the lubricant cases, a compressedair conduit, an evacuation conduit opening into the upper part of saidchamber, an ejector interconnected with said conduits, air valve meansoperable so as to apply pressure to or create vacuum in said chamber,connections for conducting oil from a lubricating case or from a sourceof flushing oil to the chamber and for conducting oil from the chamberto the lubricant case or to waste, and a combined selective control forsaid connections and said air valve means.

10. A self-contained, transportable apparatus for cleaning lubricantcases, including a tank part comprising a waste receptacle and aflushing receptacle, a transfer chamber, a hose and nozzle adapted to beinserted in the lubricant cases, a compressed air conduit, an evacuationconduit connected with the upper part of said chamber, an ejectorinterconnected with said conduits, air valve means operable so as toapply pressure to or create vacuum in said chamber, connections forconducting oil from a lubricant case or from said flushing oilreceptacle to said chamber and from said chamber to the lubricant caseor to the waste receptacle, and means for controlling said connections.

11 An apparatus for emptying and flushing lubricant cases, includinghose and nozzle means j adapted to be inserted into the lubricant cases,a receptacle for waste oil, a receptacle for flushing oil, a jar, meansfor creating a vacuum in said jar when desired, valved connectionsbetween said jar and said hose means for drawing oil from a lubricantcase into the jar and for delivering on from the jar into the lubricantcase, a valved connection between the jar and the flushing oilreceptacle fordrawing oil from said receptacle into the jar, and avalved connection for discharging oil from the jar into one of thereceptacles.

12. An apparatus for emptying and flushing lubricant cases, includinghose and nozzle means adapted to be inserted into the lubricant cases, areceptacle for waste oil, a receptacle for flushing oil, a jar, meansfor creating a vacuum in said jar when desired, valved connectionsbetween said jar and said hose means for drawing oil from a lubricantcase into the jar and for delivering oil from the jar into the lubricantcase, a valved connection between the jar and the flushing oilreceptacle for drawing oil from said receptacle into the jar, and avalved connection for discharging oil from the jar into said wastereceptacle, and another valved connection for returning oil from the jarto the flushing oil receptacle.

13. An apparatus for emptying and flushing lubricant cases, includinghose and nozzle means adapted to be inserted into the lubricant cases, areceptacle for flushing oil, a receptacle for waste oil, a jar, meansfor alternately applying pressure and creating vacuum in said jar,valved connections between said jar and said hose means for drawing oilfrom a lubricant case into the jar and for delivering oil from the jarinto the lubricant case, a valved connection between the jar and theflushing oil receptacle for drawing oil fromv said receptacle into thejar, and a valved connection for discharging oil from the jar into oneof the receptacles.

14. An apparatus for emptying and flushing lubricant cases, comprisingthe combination of hose and nozzle means adapted to be inserted intolubricant cases. a tank part for holding a supply of flushing oil and atank, part for receiving waste oil, a transfer chamber part, means forcreating vacuum when desired in said transfer chamber part, connectionsbetween said hose means and said transfer chamber part and between saidtransfer chamber part and said tank parts, and valve means forcontrolling said connections so that either oil from a lubricant case orflushing oil from the first-mentioned tank part can be drawn into thetransfer chamber part and so that oil can be delivered from the transferchamber part either to the lubricant case or to the second-mentionedtank part.

15. A movable, self-contained apparatus for emptying and flushinglubricant cases, including hose and nozzle means adapted to be insertedinto the lubricant cases, a tank part for holding a supply of flushingoil and a tank part for receiving waste oil, a transfer chamber partsupported above said tank part, means for creating vacuum when desiredin said transfer chamber part, connections between said hose means andsaid transfer chamber part and between said transfer chamber part andsaid tank parts, and valve means for controlling said connections sothat either oil from a lubricant case or flushing oil from thefirst-mentioned tank part can be drawn into the transfer chamber partand so that oil can be delivered from the transfer chamber part eitherto the lubricant case or to the second-mentioned tank part.

16. An apparatus for emptying and flushing lubricant cases, comprisingthe combination of hose and nozzle means adapted to be inserted intolubricant cases, a tank part for holding a supply of flushing oil and atank part for receiving waste oil,- a transfer chamber part, means foralternately applying pressure and creating vacuum in said transferchamber part, connections between said hose means and said transferchamber part and between said transfer chamber part and said tank parts,and valve means for controlling said connections so that either oil froma lubricant case or flushing oil from the first-mentioned tank part canbe drawn into the transfer chamber part and so that oil can be deliveredfrom the transfer chamber part either to the lubricant case or to thesecond-mentioned tank part.

17. Apparatus for removing oil from crankcases and for flushing thesame, comprising a receptacle for holding a supply of flushing oil, areceptacle for receiving waste oil, transfer chamber means affordinginspection of oil withdrawn from the crank-case and of oil to beintroduced therein, a flexible hose terminating in a nozzle adapted tobe inserted into the crank-case, connections between said hose and saidtransfer chamber means and between said transfer chamber means and bothof said receptacles, a group of valves for opening and closing saidconnections, a single manual means for selectively controlling saidvalves, so that oil withdrawn from the crank-case is delivered into thetransfer chamber means before being delivered into the waste receptacle,and also flushing oilwithdrawn from the flushing oil receptacle isdelivered into the transfer chamber means before being passed into thecrank-case, and means for causing oil to flow from the crank-case to thetransfer chamber means, from the flushing oil receptacle to the transferchamber means, and from the transfer chamber means to the crank-case orto the waste receptacle.

18. Apparatus for removing oil from crankcases and for flushing thesame, comprising a receptacle for holding a supply of flushing oil, areceptacle for receiving waste oil, a sight-jar constituting a transferchamber related to both said receptacles, conduits through which oil canbe passed from the crank-case to said sight-jar, from said flushing oilreceptacle to said sight-jar and from said sight-jar to the crank-caseor to said waste receptacle, valve means for selecting any of thesepaths of flow, and means for causing oil to flow in the path selected.

19. Apparatus for removing oil from crankcases and for flushing thesame, comprising a receptacle for holding a supply of flushing oil, areceptacle for receiving waste oil, a sight-jar constituting a transferchamber related to both said receptacles, conduits through which oil canbe passed from the crank-case to said sight-jar, from said flushing oilreceptacle to said sight-jar and from said sight-jar to the crank-caseor to said waste receptacle, individual valves for opening and closingsaid conduits, and a common means for selectively controlling saidvalves.

20. Apparatus for removing oil from crankcases and for flushing thesame, comprising a receptacle for holding a supply of flushing oil, areceptacle for receiving waste oil, a sight-jar constituting a transferchamber related to both said receptacles, hose and nozzle means throughwhich oil is to be passed between the crank-case and said sight-jar,connections between said sight-jar and said hose and nozzle means,between said sight-jar and said waste oil receptacle, and between saidsight-jar and said flushing oil receptacle, and valve means forcontrolling said connections so that oil withdrawn from the crank-caseis delivered into said sight-jar and thereafter delivered to said wastereceptacle, and a charge of flushing oil withdrawn from said flushingoil-receptacle is delivered into said sightjar before being passed tothe crank-case.

21. Apparatus for removing oil from crankcases and for flushing thesame-comprising a receptacle for holding a supply of flushing oil, areceptacle for receiving waste oil, a sight-jar constituting a transferchamber related to both said receptacles, hose and nozzle means throughwhich oil is to be passed between the crank-case and said sight-jar,connections between said sight-jar and said hose and nozzle means,between said sight-jar and said waste-oil receptacle, and between saidsight-jar and said flushing oil receptacle, separate valves for openingand closing said connections, and a single manually operated means forselectively operating said valves so that oil withdrawn from thecrank-case is delivered into said sight-jar and thereafter delivered tosaid waste receptacle, and a charge of flushing oil withdrawn fromsaidfiushing oil receptacle is delivered into said sight-jar beforebeing passed to the crank-case.

22. Apparatus for removing oil from crankcases and for flushing thesame, comprising a receptacle for holding a supply of flushing oil,,areceptacle for receiving waste oil, a sight-jar constituting a transferchamber related to both said receptacles, said sight-jar having an oilinlet and a separate oil outlet, hose and nozzle means through which oilis to be passed between the crank-case and said sight-jar, connectionsbetween said hose and nozzle means and the inlet and outlet of saidsight-jar, between the outlet of said sight-jar and the wastereceptacle,. and between said'fiushing oil receptacle and the inlet ofsaid sight-jar, and valve means for controlling said connections so thatoil withdrawn from the crank-case is delivered into said sightjar andthereafter delivered to said waste receptacle, and a charge of flushingoil withdrawn from said flushing oil receptacle is delivered into saidsight-jar before-being passed to the crankcase.

23. An apparatus for removing oil from crankcases and for flushing thesame, consisting of a portable unit which comprises a tank partcomprising two separate receptacles, one to receive waste oil and theother to hold a supply of flushing oil, a sight-jar supported above saidtank part, a conduit having a hose and nozzle, a conduit extending downinto the flushing oil re- 190 ceptacle, a conduit for delivering oilinto the waste receptacle, connections between said conduits and thesight-jar, and selective valve mechanism controlling said conduits, sothat oil withdrawn from the crank-case is delivered into the 105sight-jar before it is passed to the waste receptacle, and also flushingoil withdrawn from the flushing oil receptacle is delivered into thesightjar before it is passed to the crank-case, and means for causingoil to flow from the crankno case to the sight-jar, from the flushingoil receptacle to the sight-jar and from the sight-jar to the crank-caseor to the waste receptacle.

